How to Photograph or Record a Solar Eclipse Safely

Solar eclipses, a celestial ballet of the sun, moon, and Earth, have fascinated humans for millennia. These rare events, where the moon cloaks the sun, creating a twilight at noon, offer photographers and astronomers a unique challenge: capturing the ephemeral beauty without succumbing to the inherent risks.

Jeff Todd, the President and CEO of Prevent Blindness, had a conversation with astrophotographer Jon Carmichael, known for his iconic 2017 total eclipse photo taken from an airplane. Carmichael shared his enthusiasm for ensuring a fulfilling and safe eclipse photography experience for everyone.



Setting Up for Solar Eclipse Photography and Recording

01

Ensure you have the necessary gear: eclipse glasses for eye safety, a suitable solar filter for your camera, and a tripod for stability.

02

Familiarize yourself with your equipment by practicing on a sunny day, using eclipse glasses and the solar filter.

03

Consult NASA's solar eclipse maps to identify prime viewing locations; aim to be near the center of totality for an extended experience.

04

Stay informed about local weather conditions and have a backup plan for relocating to a clearer viewing site if necessary.

05

Understand the eclipse's timing and geographical details to plan the sun and moon's positioning, camera placement, and desired foreground.

Basic Guidelines for Safely Capturing a Solar Eclipse

01

Always use proper eye protection, such as solar eclipse glasses, when observing the sun, except for the short duration of totality during a total eclipse.

02

Wear solar eclipse glasses throughout the entire duration of a partial or annular eclipse to protect your eyes.

03

Avoid looking at the sun through the optical viewfinder of a mirrored SLR (Single-lens Reflex) camera to prevent eye damage.

04

Ensure your camera lens is equipped with a solar filter before pointing it at the sun, except during the totality phase of a total solar eclips

Guidelines for Capturing a Solar Eclipse Using an iPhone or Smartphone

Use a solar filter over

Attach a solar filter to your phone's camera lens, or alternatively, use spare eclipse glasses as a makeshift filter, except during the totality phase of a total solar eclipse.

Apps

Use applications such as Solar Snap, or those offering long exposure and timer functions, to enhance your photography.


Tripod

Employ a tripod for stability.

Practice

Familiarize yourself with setting up your device and using the timer feature to streamline the process, allowing you to fully experience the event.

Guidelines for Beginner Photographers with a Dedicated Camera

  • Attach a certified solar filter with a minimum of 16 stops to your camera lens, but remove it during the totality phase of a total solar eclipse. B&H Photo can provide expert guidance on selecting a solar filter.
  • Utilize a tripod for stability.
  • Capture images in RAW format instead of JPEG to ensure higher quality.
  • Employ a remote shutter or use the camera's timer function to minimize shake and fully experience the event. Remember, the sun's position will change, necessitating occasional adjustments to your framing.


  • Master your camera's manual settings for superior control over exposure and other variables, compared to relying on automatic settings.
  • Conduct practice sessions to become comfortable with the settings you plan to use during the eclipse.
  • Use your camera's bracketing function to take multiple shots at different exposure levels, increasing your chances of capturing the perfect image.
  • Understand and adjust your camera's white balance settings as needed.
  • During the totality of a total eclipse, it's safe to view the event without eclipse glasses. Remember to remove the solar filter from your camera to photograph the totality phase
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